Paul Cook says it is his job to get Pompey over the disappointment of their home defeat to Oxford.
He admitted the Blues were not at their best against Michael Appleton's men but pointed out it had been a long time since their last home loss.
The 1-0 reverse left Pompey seven points behind Oxford, who currently occupy the third promotion spot.
Cook told The News: ‘We’ve had good days lately but it was a disappointment. A huge disappointment. We’re a big club but my job is to manage that disappointment.
‘It hurts and it should hurt for the players. We have to lick our wounds and come back stronger.
‘We’ve been on a great run — a smashing run. It’s a long time since we lost at home, so it’s disappointing. We never got going or looked as fluent as we should.
‘They were better than us at the start and we couldn’t get near them. Great credit to Oxford. They are a good team, probably the best to come to Fratton Park this season.
‘It wasn’t our day but it’s important we stay together. We lick our wounds now but then we train harder and work harder and get better at what we do.’
It's FA Cup action next up for Pompey, with Bournemouth visiting in round four on Saturday, while next week brings League Two games at Morecambe and at home to Leyton Orient.
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